The Toronto Raptors' ongoing partnership with the Drake took yet another step forward today: The team's official practice facility has been renamed after Drizzy's OVO (October’s Very Own) brand. The Raptors officially unveiled the new name today, announcing that the building formerly known as the BioSteel Centre will be known as the OVO Athletic Centre from this day forward.
Drake has been the official Global Ambassador for the team since 2013, and since then has help bolster Raptors awareness both in the city and around the globe by special jerseys and other apparel partnerships, "Welcome Toronto" and OVO-themed home games each season and more. It's not all about stunting courtside though, as the Welcome Toronto program also saw Drake and the Raptors donate $1 million to refurbish local community basketball courts, and another $2 million to Canada Basketball.
We made it happen. Introducing the OVO Athletic Centre.@welcomeOVO | #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/8Z2Trv6evi
“Drake and OVO are an important part of our city’s landscape, our team’s identity, and our plans to bring a championship to Toronto,” said Raptors President Masai Ujiri. “With each step of our partnership over the last five and a half years, we have worked together to build a winning basketball program in Toronto and deliver for our fans and our community. This new naming rights deal for our training facility is a perfect example of the strength of this partnership and the innovative opportunities it can generate.”
Just in time to celebrate the new arena naming, the Raptors also just announced the OVO x Raptors Spring ’19 Collection, which will commemorate the annual Drake Night tees from the past 5 seasons. The collection will be available tonight, March 14, and Monday, March 18 exclusively at Scotiabank Arena.
OVO x Raptors Spring ’19 Collection - commemorating the annual Drake Night tees from the past 5 seasons.
Available Tonight and Monday, March 18 exclusively at Scotiabank Arena. pic.twitter.com/3aJy1tOW1q
